Akisin Cletus John

Course studying

Research area

Cold Gas Spray Additive Manufacturing of High Entropy Alloy Coatings

What made you want to become an engineer?

At the age of ten, I recalled constructing a plastic aircraft, which was a design I discovered from reading an encyclopedia, on aircrafts and submarines. To enable the aircraft fly, I employed a DC motor, although the first flight time was not more than 10 seconds. This made me very excited, intrigued and motivated to seek for knowledge in the sphere of Engineering and Science.

Of all these, one of the scientists that motivated me to pursue a career in engineering was Isaac Newton. It might be funny that there is possibly no way I would have met him, but his biography and research work that I have read at the age of ten, was overwhelming. I would personally say he provided most of the solutions to the world engineering problems today. As such, I want to do the same, to solve problems, and serve humanity.

Akisin Cletus John wearing a tuxedo sat on a sofa.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I am currently studying for my PhD and in my first year, hopefully by the end of 2023 I should have started my post-doctoral studies, possibly here at the University of Nottingham, or at another institution. I like the community feel that Nottingham has to offer, so would welcome the opportunity to continue my post-doctoral studies here.

My aim is to offer solutions to the automotive and aerospace industries through my research experience during my PhD and Post-Doc, employing the various technical and soft skills I have developed over the years.

Why is Black History Month an important celebration for you?

Black History Month is an important celebration because it is a time, and an event when we recognise the sacrifices, contributions, and achievements of Black British and other Black minority group around the world.

Many of us were educated in schools and educational systems in which the perspectives, experiences, and discoveries of Black British and other Black people in this country are not an integral part of our learning. Too few of us have learnt about the effort of some Black scientist, engineers, soldiers, mathematicians that have contributed massively to the development of this country.

Just like Dr Shayla Griffin commented “Too few of us know of the mathematical genius of Majorie Lee Browne and Katherine Johnson or the scientific contributions of Joseph Graves and George Carruthers”. Rather, the narratives most of us have about Black people has led to inaccurate stereotypes, biases and prejudices.

Black History Month provides the country with the chance, and opportunity to hear the voices and experiences of people who have historically been oppressed, ignored, marginalised and overlooked.

Black History Month is not just a time to celebrate the Black British and other minority ethnic group, it is also an excellent opportunity to reflect on where we are as an institution and a country, and this would be a great catalyst for accurately acknowledging the contributions of the Black people to the United Kingdom throughout the year. It a time for us to consider how can we support educators from all racial backgrounds in developing their personal knowledge and awareness of the contributions of Black students so that they can teach the diverse students they serve more accurately.

Therefore, Black History Month is an important time for us to pause and think, and reflect on our biases, prejudice, gaps in knowledge, and relationships across racial difference so that we can be leaders in creating an educational system that ensures discipline policies, procedures, equity and inclusion are at the forefront.

What are your experiences as a person of colour in the UK?

During my MSc here at the University of Nottingham (UoN) , I can remember vividly, even though at some point I was fully welcomed by the institution, I felt alone throughout the MSc program.

Although, I now have the confidence to approach any person of colour at the UoN to ask for any help or ask a question, during my MSc this was a challenge for me. The transition of international student to the UK is overwhelming, the environment and educational system.

Let me say a little about my experience in the first few months after the lockdown. One of the thoughts I had, that went through a logical and analytical process in my mind was about my PhD. I started my PhD officially in February 2020. Just after a month, the University and the country (UK) as a whole went on a total lock-down. Well, immediately I put in my skill of planning, and a change in my PhD research work to fit into the unprecedented times and the pandemic situation.

The pandemic disrupted my plans, and, honestly, I was destabilised. Sincerely, things might not be the same way when we return. Planning upon planning will continue to take place for everybody, business corporations, and the government, to be able to come to stability when the situation is past. Then, I came to this realisation, as an international student/PhD researcher, I do not have access to public funds, and many challenges that would made me destitute.

I have got limitations to soar as an international or Black student here in the UK. I am happy about the changes in the immigration policies over international student in the UK, the post-study work visa, and access to funding from UKRI. However, there is still a woeful lack of support structures in place within UK higher education for tier 4 international students, especially in situations like this pandemic.

Who would you say your role model is?

My supervisor is my role model, not because he is my supervisor. He is my role model specifically in his style of leadership and supervision. He can be quite demanding, but he respects every race within the research group, and he is very much into every researcher within the group.

This is a leadership style necessary for a supervisor and student relationship. I have heard a lot about my friends from other part of the country and the world, some have been left stranded, supervisors never had any meeting with them, some are afraid to ask for help from the institutions because that might affect their immigration status. This could be very personal to say here, but it happens a lot. Research during this period is frustrating, as such, every supervisor need to put this in mind. Emotional trauma can result from pressure on Black students from their supervisors. Hence, a leadership style that is necessary to ensure a balance on the mental health and of course, research project of the student is needful, and my supervisor, to some extent, has proven this kind of leadership.

How do you think the faculty and University can further progress inclusion and diversity?

A straightforward answer is “ACTION”. There is no idea or suggestions on EDI that I will provide that the institution is not aware of. Too many hundreds of pages of documents on EDI, seminars, workshop and plans, yet all that is needed is to implement. Discipline is one of the most difficult part of implementing, if the institution has the EDI at heart, steps should be taken to implement every plan made, intentionally.